First Internet Saints: Carlo Acutis is canonized in the Vatican!

First Internet Saints: Carlo Acutis is canonized in the Vatican!

April 20, 2025 is noted as an important day in the history of the Catholic Church, since Carlo Acutis will be canonized this Sunday in the Vatican. Acutis, who was blessed in 2020, was a remarkable young man who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of only 15. He is considered the first saint from the generation of millennials, born in 1991 in London and grew up in a family with deep faith.

his early commitment to faith was shaped by his nanny, and at the age of seven he received the first communion. Acutis attended a Jesuit school where he developed computer programs for the church and created a database with miracles. These activities illustrate its special relation to modern media, which also makes him the first internet saint.

The canonization and its requirements

The canonization of Carlo Acutis needs the recognition of miracles that must be discovered as part of the procedure. For Acutis, the healing of a child from Brazil and a young woman from Costa Rica were recognized as a miracle, which is a crucial step towards canonization. In contrast to many other saints, in which years or even decades often pass before they are bliss or canonized, this happened relatively quickly for Acutis, supported by the church and his family.

The process of canonization usually begins with the beatification, and extensive biographical information and testimony must be collected. The decision about the canonization is finally due to the Pope. In this case, Pope Francis saw the goal of personally carrying out the ceremony, but must be spare after pneumonia.

the legacy of Carlo Acutis

After his death, Acutis' body was released several times and is now located in the pilgrimage church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi. His sarcophagus is visible through a glass pane and shows it dressed in jeans and sneakers, holding a rosary in his hands. This modern presentation type emphasizes the relationship to today's youth.

in Assisi the market was enlivened with numerous souvenirs, including figures with a halo, jute bags, t-shirts and medallions. A launch that allegedly comes from Acutis even achieved the price of 2,110 euros, which led to a dispute and a criminal complaint by the Bishop of Assisi. These objects are contrasting to the questions about Acutis' piety, which some of his classmates raised because, according to say, it has never been talked about Jesus.

The canonization of Carlo Acutis thus not only marks an important step for the Catholic Church, but also a novelty in the history of the saints. He exemplifies the connection between faith and modern media and offers inspiration for the youth today. The school of his canonization shows that even young people who grow up with technology are able to leave important traces in faith.